Singapore is one of the quickest places to set up an Indian subsidiary from. Documents can be notarised and apostilled electronically by the Singapore Academy of Law within days, and the 2.5 hour time difference makes coordination easy, so many Singapore companies reach incorporation with PAN and TAN in about 3 to 5 weeks, then complete the bank account, share issue and FC-GPR over the following weeks. What slows projects down is usually ownership, not paperwork: an ultimate owner from a country bordering India needs government approval, and Indian-resident founders need an overseas investment check first.
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Key facts
| Documents | Notary plus Singapore Academy of Law eApostille, typically within days |
|---|---|
| Incorporation | Often about 3 to 5 weeks from authenticated documents |
| Bank, capital and shares | About 1 to 2 weeks after incorporation |
| FC-GPR | Within 30 days of allotment |
| Time difference | India is 2.5 hours behind Singapore |
| Holidays to plan around | Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas |
| Possible delays | Press Note 3 approval or an overseas investment review of Indian-resident founders |
The fast-track schedule
| Timing | Singapore | India |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 5 | Board resolution; ACRA business profile; directors' passports and address proofs | Ownership check, FDI route, drafting, name search |
| Days 5 to 10 | Notarisation and eApostille | Directors' digital signatures; name approval |
| Weeks 2 to 5 | Digital signing of the forms | SPICe+ filed; incorporation with PAN and TAN |
| Weeks 4 to 7 | Capital remitted in SGD or USD | Bank account, capital received, shares allotted |
| Within 30 days of allotment | Share certificates to the parent | FC-GPR filed |
Singapore steps
- Download the ACRA business profile and gather the constitution.
- Pass a board resolution approving the investment, the Indian directors and a signatory.
- Have the documents notarised by a Singapore notary public.
- Obtain the apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law, usually as an eApostille sent electronically.
- Send any originals the Indian bank needs by courier, which reaches India in a few days.
See documents, ACRA and apostille for the document detail.
What can add weeks or months
| Issue | Why it matters | Effect on timing |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese or other land-border ownership | Press Note 3 requires Government of India approval for any investor whose beneficial owner is in or from a country bordering India | Adds months; approval comes before incorporation funding |
| Indian-resident founders owning the Singapore company | India's overseas investment rules and round-tripping restrictions apply to their structure | Review needed before the Indian subsidiary is set up |
| No director resident in India | At least one director must stay in India for 182 days or more in the financial year | Appoint one early, or use a professional resident director |
| Sector caps or conditions | Some sectors need approval or have caps | Check before filing |
India steps after incorporation
After the certificate of incorporation, we open the bank account and the parent remits the capital. Shares must be allotted within 60 days of receipt, FC-GPR is due within 30 days of allotment, the first auditor is appointed within 30 days of incorporation, and the declaration of commencement of business is due within 180 days.
Holidays in both countries
| Period | Effect |
|---|---|
| Chinese New Year (January or February) | Singapore offices and banks close for two days and many people take longer leave |
| Deepavali (October or November) | A public holiday in Singapore and, as Diwali, several days of closures in India |
| Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji | Singapore public holidays |
| Christmas to New Year | Reduced availability in Singapore |
| Indian year end, 31 March | Indian banks are busy; a company incorporated between January and March can take a longer first financial year |
India is 2.5 hours behind Singapore, so most of the working day overlaps and signing or bank calls rarely need early or late hours.
Checklist for a quick start
- Confirm the ultimate owners and where they live, before anything else.
- Choose the resident director.
- Prepare the resolution and get it notarised and apostilled in one visit.
- Agree the capital amount and share price before the bank account opens.
- Book the Indian office or use a registered office service.
How AU Corporate handles this
AU Corporate checks the ownership chain and FDI route on day one, prepares the Indian filings while the Singapore documents are authenticated, and handles incorporation, banking, the share issue and FC-GPR.
Related services: India subsidiary registration and FEMA and RBI compliance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to set up an Indian subsidiary from Singapore?
Often about 3 to 5 weeks from authenticated documents to incorporation, then a few weeks more for the bank, share issue and FC-GPR.
Why is Singapore faster than many countries?
Notarisation and the Singapore Academy of Law eApostille take days, delivery can be electronic, and the time difference is only 2.5 hours.
What can delay a Singapore company's setup?
Ownership: Press Note 3 approval for land-border owners, or an overseas investment review where Indian-resident founders own the Singapore company.
What is the time difference between Singapore and India?
India is 2.5 hours behind Singapore.
Which holidays affect the timeline?
Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas in Singapore, and Diwali in India.
When is FC-GPR due?
Within 30 days of allotting shares to the Singapore parent.
Related guides
Sources
Last updated 3 November 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Indian rules change often; confirm current requirements before acting.